Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne

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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Northampton County Bar Likes Zito, Murray & Heimbach

As I told you earlier this month, the Northampton County Bar Association has decided to the eight candidates seeking three vacancies this year. Questionnaires were sent to the 425 full members, and 201 responses were tabulated by a CPA because everyone knows lawyers can't count. Lawyers were asked to rate candidates as well qualified, qualified or not qualified.

Perhaps this taps into the real reason Koury's campaign flier quotes three 2001 editorials highlighting that he "refuse(s) to take campaign contributions from local attorneys"?? Easy to refuse whats not being offered (??).

No, There was no ultimate rating by the bar. What was released was the actual raw data, the compilation of the votes of the 201 members who responded to the survey.

A majority of that 201 finds that Lenny Zito and Sam Murray are "well qualified." The candidate receiving the highest number of "not qualified" votes was Michael Koury, with 67 of 201 respondents concluding he does not belong on the bench at all.

I would worry more about a candidate who is overwhelmingly backed by the Bar Association...I don't think they get backing because of how much trial knowledge the candidate has, but rather how often you can count them in your corner that matters most. Obviously Judge Zito sits well with the "good old boys" and don't you feel the need to ask WHY??

I know why. Zito is highly qualified. I've seen it myself, and I say this as someone who did not support him when he first ran. He won me over and won over the lawyers thru his fine temperament, intelligence and work ethic. I've not seen a finer judge.

Sam Murray, another highly rated candidate, is no good ol' boy. He avoids politics and has spent his career being the best lawyer he could possibly be. He is dedication personified.

Karl Longenbach has the best temperament of them all, and did well because he should have done well.

I do not know Candy Barr Heimbach, but she has to be pleased that her colleagues view her so favorably.

Craig did not do so well, but that's to be expected. Most attorneys have not seen him in action bc he is in Harrisburg. But he is another excellenet lawyer who would have been rated much higher if more lawyers knew him.

Michael Koury, unlike Craig, is already known by these attorneys. They appear before him now. It's disturbing to see that 1/3 consider him unqualified.

"Candy Barr Heinbach", wasn't that a dancer in Vegas in that 1970's?How can you take a Judge named Candy Barr seriously, unless you are shooting an exotic film.May be a cute and funney name for a young attorney but Judge.